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Tóibín slams payments to former politicians

Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín has called for payments to former politicians to cease after receiving details of millions of euros to be paid to former TDs, Ministers and Senators this year.

Speaking today Deputy Tóibín said politicians who resign or lose their seats at election should be afforded a basic redundancy package.

He said:

“Figures release to me from the Department of Finance highlight the scandalous sums of money being paid to former politicians.

“For instance Bertie Ahern will receive €78,000 this year while Jackie Healy Rae will receive more than €88,000.

“With such a high turnover of politicians, both TDs and Senators, in the recent elections, the state is facing a bill of €5.3 million in these types of payments over the course of the year.

“At a time when harsh austerity measures, supported by this and the previous government, are causing huge hardship for thousands of families across the state these payments are grossly insulting particularly when many of those in receipt of this money are guilty of causing the economic mess we are in today.

“Sinn Féin believes that politicians who lose or resign their seats should be entitled to a basic redundancy package similar to other workers. There is no reason for these extra payments to be made.” CRIOCH